Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Brake calipers not freeing up!

[tallred]

My son-in-law's '01 3/4 ton Dodge two wheel drive truck has a major problem! He said his brake calipers won't free up. They are eating the rotors and he doesn't't know why. He is going thru brake shoes like crazy. When they free up, which is not very often, it runs like a bat out of !! His fuel mileage drops 3-4 mpg when it does this. If anyone has had any experience with this problem, he would surely appreciate any feed back. Thanks

 

[Wiredawg]

Are you up North?

I haven't had this experience and I'm no brake expert but I think the reason brake calipers freeze up is : binding and lack of lubrication. How many miles on them? Been running in lots of salty winter mix? Could be cylinders need honing. May be time for EGR calipers.



Hope this helps.



Wiredawg

 

[BillGotthelf]

Have him take off the calipers and using some emory cloth or scotch 2-3" abrasive discs on a drill clean the rails the caliper slides on. Next pull the pins that you had to unscrew to release the caliper. Take some hi-temp grease and put a small amount into the rubber boot area and smear some on the pin surface before you put back together. If they are extremely dirty take a can of brake cleaner and spray out the bolt hole and wipe off the caliper bolt. You can use a small amount of lube on the rails the caliper sets on when you reassemble. If this does not clear up the binding them you need new calipers. Even if you use new/rebuilt calipers do the above things also.